The Hastings Standard. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19, 1906 OUR EDUCATION.

Hastings Standard, 19 September 1906, Page 2

The Hastings Standard. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19, 1906 OUR EDUCATION.

i The recent report of the Minister of ? Education reveals a very satisfactory I state in the colony's education and the i progress made throughout the colony | during the past year. It is pleasing I to note that the average attendance has shown an increase l , as also does the average of regular .tttendance, a fact which tends to show the value of truant officers and the consequences attached to habitual absentees. The number of schools in the colony increased by 21 in the past year, the total now being 180(5. The number of teachers has increased by 69, due no doubt to better salaries than previously offered, It is a good signf [ that during the year the number o ; teachers in the four training colleges have more than doubled, standing at 221, as compared with 109 at the close of the previous year. The maintenance of the colleges costs £ - 2:i.COC, and it is anticipated that the available accommodation will soon be taxed to its full capacity. The general prosperity is rejected in the returns from the etlucation reserves* thoughtfully set apart in

former years, which show an increase in twelve months from £'68,571 to £69,888. Technical and manual education is rapidly extending, and is highly appreciated by parents, pupils, and employers It is in this direction that the most important developments are now proceeding. Cookery for giris and woodwork for boys are among the leading subjects, and no less important is the practical instruction imparted in agriculture. Another great advance has been made in the endowed secondary schools, the number of free pupils now standing very high. These are winners of scholarships and others who have qualified by examination ic the primary schools: and notwithstanding the large increase in attendance, the financial position of the High fccLool Boards has improved. Our educational system is by degrees becoming more and more a harmonious organic unity, and such reforms as seen to be indicated are chiefly those affecting details rather than the general system, which, as we have already remarked, offers very little ground for unfavourable criticism.